Tent base



Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I v 2,120,180 a TENT BASE Edward Hungrige, Wilmington, Del. Application April 2, 1937, Serial No. 134,505

4 Claims.

This invention relates to camp constructions and it has a particular relation to the mounting of tents and other portable structures of like character.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a portable base or frame upon which the tent is erected and which will effectively exclude seepage and surface water from the area surrounded thereby, thus avoiding the necessity of excavating a trench or ditch around the tent or surround the same with a mound of earth to prevent the elements from obtaining access thereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a base or frame which will eliminate the use of the exteriorly located ropes and stakes commonly employed for lashing the tent to the ground and for otherwise bracing the superstructure against displacement.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a base of the character described, upon which a flooring may be quickly and easily mounted and maintained against displacement without the use of nails or other fastening devices.

With such objects in View as well as other advantages which may be incident to the use of the improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth and claimed with the understanding that the several necessary elements constituting the same may be varied in proportions and arrangement without departing from the nature andscope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood there are shown in the accompanying drawing, means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful application to the particular constructions and arrangements which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary prospective view of a tent base constructed in accordance with the inventlon,

Fig. 2 is a view of a preferred form of peg or pin; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the pin shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Fig. 1, thereof, a tent base embodying the invention is shown as comprising longitudinal and lateral frame members connected at their ends by angle elements 8. These frame members each comprises upper and lower vertical flanges 2 and I and a horizontally disposed inwardly extendly flange 4 arranged intermediate of the flanges 2 and I. The lower flange I may be formed with a knife edge and is adaptedto be forced into the ground until the horizontal flange 4 abuts the same and lies flush therewith. This horizontal flange limits the depth that the frame members enter the ground, thus insuring that an adequate amount of the frame is disposed both above and below the surface such as will exclude seepage and surface water. The horizontal flange 4 also affords an efficient support for a board flooring (not shown) if such is desired and the vertical flanges 2 prevents the flooring from becoming laterally or longitudinally displaced without the use of additional fastening devices.

The vertical flanges 2 are preferably provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 3 for receiving a lacing cord for securing the sidewalls of the tent to the base. If desired, the frame members may be formed of sections secured together by plates 9. The horizontal flanges 4 may be provided with spaced openings 5 for receiving anchor pins 6. These pins are formed with eyes 1 to which interiorly arranged guy ropes may be secured.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a very eflicient tent base is provided and one which will exclude both seepage and surface water from the ground area bounded thereby without the necessity of digging the usual surrounding ditches or mounds of earth, and constitutes a very firm foundation for the superstructure which may be of canvas or mosquito netting. While the base has been shown as being of rectangular shape it will be obvious that it may be of-any desired configuration according to the type of tent erected thereon.

The hereinabove described tent base may be modified in construction and arrangement of the parts by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

1. A base for a tent or the like comprising a plate adapted to be forced into the ground for a portion of its width to anchor the same thereto and to exclude seepage water from the space within said frame, the portion of said plate disposed above the surface of the ground being adapted to have the supports and walls of the tent secured thereto and to exclude surface water from the interior of the tent.

2. A base for a tent or the like comprising a plate adapted to be forced into the ground for a portion of its width to anchor the same thereto and to exclude seepage water from the space within said frame, the portion of said plate disposed above the surface of the ground being adapted to have the supports and walls of the tent secured thereto and to exclude surface water from the interior of the frame; and means disposed intermediate the edges of said plate adapted to abut the surface of the ground to limit the depth that saidplate enters the same.

3. A base for a tent or the like comprising a 7 frame; and the horizontal flange being adapted to abut the surface of the ground to limit the depth that the lower flange enters the same and to provide a support for a flooring.

4. A base for a tent or the like comprising a frame having upper and lower vertical flanges and an inwardly extending horizontal flange disposed intermediate thereof; the lower flange being adapted to be forced into the ground to anchor the frame thereto and to exclude seepage water from the space within said frame, the upper flange being adapted to have the supports and walls of the tent secured thereto and to exclude surface water from the interior of the frame; and the horizontal flange being adapted to abut the surface of the ground to limit the depth that the lower flange enters the same and to provide a support for a flooring, said horizontal flange having spaced openings therein to receive anchor and guy rope attaching pegs.

EDWARD HUNGRIGE. 

